Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-01-21

reservoir. The hour was one at which
few persons were travelling OF that
branch OF the street car line and the
driver of the car felt quite sure that he
identified the prisoner as his companion
on that lonely ride. He was a consci-
entious man, however, and would not
swear to the identity of his passenger
absolutely.
DR.. Straston, who is now the presi-
dent of the Board of Health of that city,
was stopped that night by a man and
woman on Reservoir street. The man
inquired if the street they were travers-
ing was not Reservoir. He was an
swered in the affirmative, and the man
and his companion proceeded on their
way. The man and woman were then
i'm a direct line with the spot where
Lillian Madison's body was found that
cold, jreary Saturday morning. They
were within a half mile of the reser-
vor, and the time was about sufficient
20 have allowed them to make the trip
from the American Hotel to that neigh
borhood. That was the last time the
man convicted OF the murder OF his
cousin was seen in her company, or
that of the woman answering her de-
scription. About two hours later-al-
lowing time for man TO have visited
the reservoir and hurried baCk-Clu-
verius presented himself ut the Capital
Hotel, where he was registered. lie
walked into The bar of that house, en-
tered into conversation with the propri-
etor, ate an apple given by him, and at
ter giving directions for calling him the
next morning retired to his room. That
morning Cluverius was on his way to
the farm of his aunt in King and Queen
county, where he lived.
From that time on the prosecution
followed him up and by strong circum-
stantial evidence showed that Cluverius
and Lillian were on intimate terms.
The obscene poetry found in the trunk
of the murdered girl and proved to have
been written by the accused confirmed
she fact that improper relations had eX-
listed between the cousins. Cluverius
was engaged to lady in his county, OF
high social position and wealth. he
did not care to be encountered with Lii
liam. The time was fast approaching
when his shame and his cousins would
be known to the world. This furnished
the motive, according TO the theory of
the prosecution, for the murder of
the girl. All Of the circumstances went
to Justify the conclusion that the muir
dered girl and her betrayer met here by
an agreement for the purpose of making
arrangements to secure an asylum where
the girl might remain until after her
delivery.
10 account for the time that sIch all
arrangement would necessitate from
the house of Mrs. Dickerson, the girl
had resortcd to duplicity. A letter pur-
porting to have been written by Miss
Mary Curtis, former schoolmate, was
read to Mrs. Dickerson, which set forth
that Miss Curtis aunt was sick and de-
sired Miss Madison to accompany her to
Old Point IL a companion. This letter
was found in the trunk of the murdered
girl, and proved to be in her handwri-
ting. The huding of a watch key near
the scene of the murder, which was
identified rs that of Cluverius, his fail
ure to account for himself OH the night
of the murder and many other circum
stances convinced the jury of the guilt
of the accused.
His defence consisted chiefly of de-
NAL that any murder had been commit
ted and an effort TO weave the doubts
connected with the case into story of
suicide All efforts having proved una
vailing, the prisoner, aided by his
brother, whose devotion has excited the
admiration OF the whole country,
fought desperately to avert the doom of
the murderer. The Governor was APP
pealed to in vain for Communication To
life Imprisonment. That failing the
members Of the Legislature were be-
sought to sign memorial addressed to
the Executive. staying the execution.
until the General Assembly could meet,
when it was hoped that resolutions might
be adopted asking Governor Lee, in view
of the doubt surrounding the case, TO
commute Cluverius' sentence to impris-
onment for life in the penitentiary.
Thus various other methods for saving
the young mans life were in vain re-
sorted to. From the hour of his arrest
his nerve and pluck were phenomenal.
Never, during all the long months Of
his incarceration, did he break down or
show signs of flinching.